BI warns vs ‘backdoor’ exit of trafficking victims

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned Filipinos against illegal “backdoor” exit schemes amid the continued repatriation of trafficking victims.

The warning follows a report from the agency’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) on the repatriation of a 24-year-old Filipina who arrived on March 23.

The victim arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 via a Hong Kong–Philippines flight from Cambodia.

According to the report, the victim departed the country on May 31 last year via boat from Tawi-Tawi, passing through Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuala Lumpur before reaching Phnom Penh and Bavet in Cambodia.

She disclosed that she was recruited online through Telegram for a supposed receptionist position in Myanmar, with a promised salary ranging from USD 900 to USD 1,200. After being coerced into working as a love scam operator for two months, she was subsequently sold to another company, where she was again forced to engage in scam activities for additional months.

The victim added that she traveled by boat with several unidentified Filipino companions who likewise departed through illegal routes en route to Myanmar.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reiterated the BI’s warning against illegal departure schemes, citing the continuing threat posed by trafficking syndicates.

“The continued repatriation of victims highlights the dangers of these schemes. Many of those who leave through illegal routes end up in exploitative conditions,” he said.

“Unauthorized departures such as these heighten the risk of abuse and restrict access to protection mechanisms overseas,” Viado added.

The BI underscored that individuals who exit the country through unauthorized means are at greater risk of exploitation, as they are deprived of legal safeguards and government assistance abroad.

Viado said the agency maintains close coordination with partner agencies to further strengthen border control measures and sustain its efforts against human trafficking and illegal recruitment.